DAI works at the cutting edge of international and US-based development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including economic development, private sector development and financial services, digital development, democratic governance and public sector management, economics and trade, and energy and climate change among other sectors. Clients include private corporations and foundations, international development agencies, international lending institutions, and host-country governments.
SBG is a specialized unit that leads DAI’s engagements with clients in the private sector. Our team advises companies on how to optimize their local supply base and labor force, demonstrate their long-term commitment to the country’s development, and become a trusted partner for government through initiatives in local content and corporate social investment. Technical focus areas include economic and policy analysis, supplier development, youth empowerment, education, SME development, entrepreneurship and innovation, corporate social investments and strategy/policy development and environmental sustainability.
SBG seeks a Communications Specialist, for a potential project position supporting a philanthropic funder and their grantees to effectively communicate the impact of its grantmaking activities. They will serve as a technical lead for strategic communications and learning activities for the program, managing teams and clients to ensure successful program implementation. They will demonstrate strong team management by helping to build the skills of more junior team members who both directly report to them and those with whom they collaborate.
ResponsibilitiesThe Communications Specialist will be responsible for designing and leading strategic communications and learning activities for the program.
Fund Communications Management

• The fund program is focused on measuring and understanding the social and environmental impact of the philanthropic investments around the world and strategically communicating that impact to different audiences. The program will provide direct support to grantees to help them collect and report impact metrics. The DAI team will also consolidate that data and learnings across programs and countries, evaluate impact at both a micro- and macro-level, and, importantly for this position, develop communications and learning products based on this impact.
• Develop, implement, and manage the communications strategy.
• Develop data-driven content around results, learnings, updates, and goals, such as success stories, blogs, social media, presentations, etc. for different audiences designed to achieve target outcomes.
• Measure the impact of communications outputs, including through media mentions, grantee feedback, the performance of social media products, etc.
• Support wider learning among grantees either through engagement sessions or communities of practice.
• Synthesize learnings to adapt project and grantee performance and document lessons learned.
• Ensure all DAI/SBG or program specific branding and communications guidelines are followed.
• Lead or support technical teams and projects in line with SBG’s strategy.
• Manage client relationships and ensure quality and timely delivery to satisfaction of client.
• Manage and mentor staff on project delivery and technical skills development.

Strategy & Thought Leadership

• Support the development and refinement of SBG’s strategic communications strategy through continual evaluation of client needs, industry trends, and competitive advantages.
• Lead or support strategic communications aspects of strategy development, including action plans to execute strategy.
• Develop thought leadership pieces (i.e., briefs, blog posts, email distribution pieces) to build DAI SBG brand recognition, develop new client interactions, and demonstrate SBG thought leadership in the industry.
• Support new business sales through client engagement, networking, and support to preparation of concept notes and proposals.
• Lead other eminence building activities such as speaking at conferences and webinars.
• Support the creation of new products in line with SBG strategy.

Additional Responsibilities As Deemed Necessary. Qualifications & Skills Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience and a college degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal and external clients, and tailor communication style to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience managing local and national communications campaigns.
• Demonstrated understanding of the PR and communications needs for grant programs at the national and local levels.
• Demonstrated experience managing subcontractors and/or freelancers to develop and implement communications collateral and campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience developing data-driven content for a variety of communications channels, including social media platforms.
• Demonstrated experience implementing marketing and/or branding strategies with the ability to create powerful and relevant messaging that resonates with a wide range of audiences, including across the political spectrum.
• Demonstrated experience with critical thinking, synthesizing learning and implementing adaptive programmatic changes.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Self-directed with strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks/competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite.
• Experience managing content across social media platforms.
• Able to build and maintain excellent working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Able to work as part of a decentralized team with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, create inclusive work environments, and work effectively within a culturally diverse environment.
• Able to handle confidential and/or sensitive information with discretion.
• Able and willing to adjust work schedule, if needed, to support teams located in different time zones/countries.
• Able and willing to travel to any country where DAI currently operates, or may wish to operate, barring times when DAI Global Security has deemed travel unsafe.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• *Based in one of the following U.S. locations where DAI is registered: District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington

Preferred, but not required:

• Expertise in graphic design, web content management, video/photo editing and visual storytelling, and infographics.
• Knowledge of corporate social responsibility, social investment, impact investing, sustainability/ESG, supply chain issues, international development, and related areas.
• Experience working on private sector funded programs.
• Experience in or understanding of the U.S. digital economy, with a focus on supporting small businesses.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience.

Compensation & Benefits: For employees working the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $75,000 - $110,000. Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.
Eligible U.S. based employees, will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, parental leave; as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.
For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.
Equal Employment Opportunity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.